Kelly, Shapiro remain at top of betting odds for Harris’ VP pick, Walz makes gains

Kelly, Shapiro remain at top of betting odds for Harris’ VP pick, Walz makes gains

July 29, 2024

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As the clock on the 2024 presidential race ticks past 100 days until Nov. 5, one major question looms over presumptive Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris‘ campaign: who will be her running mate?

The betting market, which U.S. bookmakers cannot take part in, has kept two favorites at the top of the odds as other options have jockeyed up the ranks.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is a split favorite with Arizona Senator Mark Kelly at the books USA TODAY has regularly surveyed.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has charged up bookmaker’s boards, starting the race at +3500 at U.K. bookmaker Bet365 last Tuesday and standing at +500 Monday.

Betting experts told USA TODAY that the odds at a given time represent a snapshot of how punters are feeling and that events will move the lines before Harris announces her pick.

“(The market) fluctuates almost hourly, especially with something like the vice-presidential candidate, as it is based off of one news story or maybe even a rumor,” Ryan Butler, senior news analyst at betting site Covers.com told USA TODAY in an interview.

Butler said that bettors in Europe approach their decisions at the betting window with the eye of a casual observer, especially in the vice-presidential nomination market.

“You’re not seeing a whole lot of very informed, sharp bets. It’s just a lot of people who want to throw some money behind it and have something to look at,” Butler said.

Democratic vice-presidential nomination betting market moves

Democratic vice-presidential nominee betting odds (as of July 29)

Bet 365

  • Josh Shapiro: +137
  • Mark Kelly: +162
  • Tim Walz: +500
  • Roy Cooper: +1400
  • Andrew Beshear: +1800
  • Pete Buttigieg: +2000

Via Covers.com

Bovada

  • Josh Shapiro: +155
  • Mark Kelly: +155
  • Tim Walz: +450
  • Pete Buttigieg: +1800
  • Roy Cooper: +2000
  • Andrew Beshear: +2500

BetOnline

  • Mark Kelly: +140
  • Josh Shapiro: +150
  • Tim Walz: +400
  • Roy Cooper: +2200
  • Andrew Beshear: +2800
  • Pete Buttigieg: +2800

Oddschecker

  • Mark Kelly: +175
  • Josh Shapiro: +178
  • Tim Walz: +600
  • Roy Cooper: +2100
  • Pete Buttigieg: +2600
  • Andrew Beshear: +2900